Police: Women caught trying to hide contraband for state inmates

Oliver Springs police officers arrested two Loudon County women on Tuesday after they allegedly tried to hide contraband tobacco and drugs for state prisoners working on the Historical Society Museum near downtown Oliver Springs.

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By Beverly Majors/Staff

Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

By Beverly Majors/Staff

Posted Feb. 4, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Updated Feb 4, 2013 at 11:44 AM

By Beverly Majors/Staff

Posted Feb. 4, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Updated Feb 4, 2013 at 11:44 AM

Oliver Springs police officers arrested two Loudon County women on Tuesday after they allegedly tried to hide contraband tobacco and drugs for state prisoners working on the Historical Society Museum near downtown Oliver Springs.

Henderson was additionally charged with criminal impersonation. Both were taken to the Roane County jail.

Reports said Sgt. Graham was on routine patrol shortly after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday when he noticed a vehicle pulled in behind the Oliver Springs Historical Society Museum, which is under construction and closed.

The Historical Society Museum is located at 301 Kingston Ave., and Oliver Springs High School is a short distance down the street at 419 Kingston Ave.

The two women in the vehicle reportedly gave Graham inconsistent stories about why they were at the museum, so he called for Laxton’s assistance.

When Laxton arrived, both officers searched the vehicle and found “several large unopened bags of tobacco, clear cellophane wrap, sandwich bags and medical tape, along with other unusual out of place items,” reports said.

About that time, they learned Henderson had lied about her name when they found a driver’s license with her photograph. She had told the officers her name was Tina M. Star. She reportedly then admitted she had lied because she feared she had outstanding warrants for her arrest.

During the search, officers also found a purse containing a small clear plastic bag with white powder residue inside, that officers believed to be methamphetamine.

Henderson agreed to talk to the officers, reports said, but Moore began to cry and began “being very fidgety with her legs.”

Moore reportedly told the officers she and Henderson were at the museum to hide tobacco for Morgan County Correctional Complex inmate work crews to find the next morning when they returned to work.

Moore also told officers she had “hidden a charger inside her vagina, and stated that it had methamphetamine inside it, along with suboxone strips,” reports said.

Police Chief Ken Morgan explained a “charger” is a description used in some police circles to describe a wrapped up and taped package often made with foil and/or plastic wrap and taped.

She reportedly said Henderson had given her the “charger” to hide for the inmates, but Graham had “frightened them” and they were only able to throw one large garbage bag of tobacco onto the roof.

Page 2 of 2 - Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agent Arron McPeters came to the Police Department when the women were taken into custody to interview them, reports said. Oak Ridge Police Officer Leslie Miller also came to the facility to search the two women, reports said.

Reports said no other contraband was found after the “charger was retrieved and opened.” The charger contained about .5 grams of white, off-colored powder believed to be methamphetamine, and a orange strip consistent with a suboxone strip, reports said.

Reports indicate officers ran a criminal history check of Moore and learned she has numerous felony narcotics convictions in Tennessee and Ohio.